Going all the way back to the days of my youth, some of my favorite memories were made while attending Chicago Cubs baseball games with my family. Like many young boys in Chicago, I had my favorite players who I loved to see play in person at historic Wrigley Field, and it was fun to see them play against other teams and other great players.

And one of my very favorite parts of that summertime experience has always been enjoying fresh steamy hot dogs – always more than one -- while watching my favorite team. To me, there’s nothing more thoroughly satisfying – or American – than enjoying those two wholesome things together. Oh, and a cold beer makes a pretty great addition as well.

A Uniquely American Food

The basic hot dog is one of those uniquely American foods that is extraordinarily versatile in terms of the ways it can be prepared and consumed. Many folks love the purity of the simple “naked” dog with no toppings – just meat and bun. The snap of the casing and the softness of the bun make it just that good. But for others the hot dog is just as likely to be enjoyed topped with any number of accoutrements, ranging from the most basic of condiments such as mustard and ketchup, to more “dressed up” toppings in the form of chili, onions or relish, to even more exotic and eccentric toppings such as bleu cheese and salsa. And in storied Wrigleyville, you can "run it through the garden" all you like, just don't ask for ketchup.

In recognition of National Hot Dog Day (and National Hot Dog Month), we wanted to share an easy, time-saving and unique way of cooking the classic hot dog – grilled and toasted IN THE BUN all at the same time, in the RATIONAL SelfCooking Center. For those of you who have this unit already, we encourage you to give it a try – we think you’ll love the result. Check out our video below to see how easy it is to use!

It’s truly hard to go wrong in experiencing a great hot dog if all the basics are there – a quality, all-beef wiener (Angus beef wieners are my favorite) and a freshly baked bun. Those two basics, if one is going to truly enjoy a great dog, are non-negotiable. But beyond that, almost anything goes. The hot dog is a veritable blank canvas, just awaiting the personalized work of the “artist” who will ultimately enjoy the fruits of his or her own loving handiwork.

From myself and all of us at Pace Reps, we hope you find a reason to celebrate with a delicious hot dog in celebration of National Hot Dog Day!

Dan Metka

Pace Reps Territory Manager

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